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Bar chief calls for end of email tyranny

Richard Atkins, the Bar chairman, said that people should not feel obliged to reply to emails outside of working hoursTIMES PHOTOGRAPHER JACK HILL

Barristers are calling for a halt to work emails being sent in the middle of the night, which forces them to be “on parade 24 hours a day”.

Richard Atkins, QC, the new chairman of the 16,000-strong barristers’ profession, said that the culture of round-the-clock emails was damaging to family life and wellbeing.

“There is a danger that we are expected to be on parade 24 hours a day, seven days a week and that isn’t good for anybody. It’s not good for wellbeing, nor for diversity at the bar, and many people have caring responsibilities,” he said.

He warned that this was part of a “mission creep” that was leading to courts sitting earlier and later hours, with a damaging impact on those who…

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